696 TELEOSTEI CHAP. 
blastic Hydroid Stylactis minoi. Many of the Sebastes and their 
allies are of large size and used as food; some are viviparous, the 
young being produced in great numbers and very small in size. 
Scorpaena, Pterois, Pelor, and Synancia are dangerous for the 
stings from their dorsal spines, which are provided with poison 
glands." 
Fam. 2. Hexagrammidae—Head not cuirassed, without 
strong spines; basis cranii double; a single nostril on each side. 
Gill-membranes free from isthmus; gills 4; pseudobranchiae 
present. Vertebrae 42 to 57, most of the praecaudals with 
transverse processes bearing the ribs and the epipleurals. Post- 
temporal forked; scapula and coracoid well developed, in contact 
with each other; pectoral rays inserted on the scapula and 
4 anvil-shaped pterygials, 2 of which are in contact with the 
coracoid. Ventral fins close together, more or less behind the 
pectorals, with 1 spine and 5 soft rays. Spinous dorsal of 
usually rather feeble rays, nearly as long as or longer than the 
soft; anal elongate, with or without spines. Body covered with 
small scales. 
Carnivorous fishes, mostly of large size, from the rocky coasts 
of the North Pacific. Some are highly valued as food. Twelve 
species, referable to 6 genera: Hexagrammus, Pleurogrammus, 
Agrammus, Ophiodon, Zaniolepis,’ Oxylebius.  Hexagrammus and 
Pleurogrammus are remarkable in having 4 or 5 lateral lines on 
each side. 
Fam. 3. Comephoridae.—Head not cuirassed, without spines ; 
basis cranii simple; two nostrils on each side. Gill-membranes 
free or narrowly attached to isthmus; gills 4; pseudobranchiae 
present or absent. Vertebrae 42 to 64, some or most of the 
praecaudals with transverse processes bearing the ribs and the 
epipleurals. | Post-temporal forked; scapula and coracoid well 
developed, in contact with each other or separated by cartilage ; 
pectoral rays inserted on the scapula and on 4 anvil-shaped or 
plate-like pterygials, 2 of which are in contact with the coracoid. 
Ventral fins, if present, close together, with 1 spine and 3 to 5 
soft rays. Spinous dorsal of rather feeble rays, as long as or 
shorter than the soft; anal spines feeble or absent. Body covered 
with small scales or naked. 
' Cf. Bottard, Poissons Venimeux (Paris, 1889, 8vo), and Marie Sacchi, Atti 
Soc, Ligust. vi. 1895, p. 89. 
